From Janet John, LAFIA
The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa state, Bola Longe has paraded seven suspected criminals in possession of counterfeit money worth over 60 million naira.
The CP, while parading the suspects at the state command headquarters in lafia, confirmed that the sum of seven million, eight hundred thousand naira (N7,800,000) and another sum of one hundred and ten thousand Dollars ($110,000) were recovered from the suspects.
According to Longe, two out of the seven suspects, Hussaini “M” 25yrs and Yushau “M” 32 yrs were arrested at a Point Of Sale (POS) stand, around College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, where they went to deposit the sum of fifty thousand naira at about 8pm on 4th of June, 2021.
On reaching there, the POS agent discovered eight pieces of fake naira notes in one thousand naira denomination (N1,000) out of the amount given, and when she objected to the inclusion of the fake currency, the suspects became wild and started pouring invectives on her.
The POS agent quickly made a distress call to the police who swiftly intervened.
“Upon receipt of the information, Police personnel attached to Area Command, Lafia moved immediately to the scene and got the suspects arrested.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of more suspects namely: Abubakar, Yahaya, Sunday, Chinonso and Arinze and a total sum of seven million, eight hundred thousand naira (N7, 800,000) counterfeit currency (all in one thousand naira denomination) were subsequently recovered from them.
“In addition to this, a total sum of one hundred and ten thousand Dollars ($110,000) all in hundred dollars bills were recovered from the same suspects as exhibits,” the CP added.
Longe disclosed that the counterfeit currencies recovered have been taken to Central Bank of Nigeria for further necessary action as investigation continues at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
The CP then warn all criminal elements in the state and their allies who may be nursing agenda that are inimical to the safety and security of the state, to desist from such act as the Police in the State will not relent in mobilizing all resources within its arsenal to confront and neutralize their acts and tendencies.
One of the suspects, Mr Hussaini confirmed that he and his friend were arrested on the said date in possession of counterfeit naira notes at a POS stand around college of Agriculture Lafia.
“The police searched my bag and found the rest of the counterfeit money,” he said.
